Governor Appoints Dickson, Henderson to Anchorage District Court

“In addition to their extensive legal experience, Ms. Dickson and Ms. Henderson possess an exceptional temperament that is well-suited for service on the district court bench,” Governor Parnell said. “Their work on behalf of victims of domestic violence and vulnerable populations is a testimony to their commitment to service.”

Dickson has maintained a private law practice in Anchorage for the last two years, primarily focusing on adoptions and representing foster youth. Her early legal career included work with the Office of Public Advocacy on delinquency, children in need of aid, and custody and guardianship issues. She also served in the district attorney’s office in Fairbanks and Anchorage, supervising the misdemeanor unit and prosecuting special assaults. A longtime community volunteer, Dickson serves on the Reclaiming Futures Anchorage Board and is a former member of the Standing Together Against Rape Board of Directors, Interior Domestic Violence Task Force, and has previously served as a youth court advisor. Dickson earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and her law degree from Northeastern University.

Henderson works at the Anchorage law firm of Farley & Graves, PC, where she handles a variety of civil cases including personal injury, wrongful death, maritime, employment, malpractice, and administrative claims. She formerly worked at the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office on cases in the misdemeanor, drug, and violent crimes units. Henderson has also been involved in numerous community groups and now serves on the Girls on the Run of Southcentral Alaska Board. She earned a bachelor’s degree in politics, philosophy, and economics from Claremont McKenna College and her juris doctorate at Yale Law School.

Alaska’s District Courts have jurisdiction over state misdemeanors and violations of city and borough ordinances. They may also hold preliminary hearings in felony cases; try civil cases valued at less than $100,000 and small claims cases valued at less than $10,000; hear domestic violence cases; and issue summonses, arrest warrants and search warrants.